Any time you go through with a surgical procedure, there are risks of complications. Different health conditions can increase your risk for complications, but your surgeon is well trained in helping reduce these risks.

Although each patient case is different, many risks for oral surgery can be the same. The term Oral surgery includes several invasive procedures to correct issues within your teeth and gums. The most common and well known oral surgeries are tooth extractions, or more specifically, wisdom tooth extractions, and implant placements. 

Since the majority of oral surgeries take place within your jaw and mouth, there are possible complications that overlap between these different procedures. Many of these complications are rare, but it’s important to ask your oral surgeon how large the risk is for your specific procedure so they can keep your health in mind. 

Dry Socket

Dry sockets are a very painful complication that can occur after any surgical tooth extraction. During the healing process, a clot develops within the extraction site left by the tooth. This clot protects the nerve and bone tissue that’s been exposed from within your gums for 7-10 days after the extraction. Dry sockets occur when the clot gets removed from its healing spot, leaving the nerve exposed and slowing down the healing process. Dry sockets are caused through using straws, smoking, or spitting after a procedure. It’s important to listen to the post-operative instructions given to you by your oral surgeon to prevent this complication. Symptoms include increased throbbing pain radiating into your neck, ears and temple on the side of your extraction site. Treatment of a dry socket includes a visit back to your oral surgeon so they are able to flush out the socket and pack it with medicine such as a gel, paste, or dressing to provide immediate pain relief. You are at the most risk for a dry socket within the first 5 days after getting an extraction.

Numbness

The mandibular nerve surrounds and provides sensation to the face. It runs all the way from your forehead to your gums, dental sockets, and around your chin. Oral Surgery can irritate this nerve and can cause diminished or total loss of feeling in specific spots of your face. The roots of your teeth are at risk of growing close to the nerve, so those who are getting surgery on fully grown molars farther back in their mouth are at higher risk of damage. Oral surgeons are experienced in carefully extracting teeth they know are at higher risk. Numbness is very common after surgery, but will usually subside within 24 hours or less. Permanent numbness may occur.

Sinus Cavities

Sinus cavities are hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull. They connect to your nasal passages and contain the air you breathe. Much like the nerve around your lower jaw, large roots on your teeth can grow to penetrate into the lowermost cavities under your nose. Removing these teeth can cause small holes within the cavity, affecting the drainage of your respiratory system. Small holes can usually heal on their own, but if your oral surgeon is concerned, a stitch can be placed to close the hole. Symptoms can include dark red bloody noses, a whistling sound when you breathe, and fluid going through the cavity into your nose when drinking.

Infection 

Infection can happen when unknown bacteria enters any surgery site. Those who have diabetes or a compromised immune system are at a higher risk for post-surgical infections. Signs of infection from oral surgery can include increased or prolonged swelling in your cheeks and gums, a continued bad taste in your mouth, and a fever. Oral surgeons are able to treat infections with antibiotics.

Root Fragments

Tooth roots can be long or fragile, which creates a risk of breakage during surgery. Oral surgeons are able to remove broken pieces, but may decide to leave them in if it could cause harm to nearby teeth, the nerve, or the sinus. These pieces may later be dislodged, and create a bone spur. A bone spur can become trapped in the gums that have healed since the surgery, or gums near the surrounding teeth. If a spur causes pain your oral surgeon can help take it out.

Injury

Injuries that can occur during an oral surgery include broken neighboring teeth, or injury to nearby tissue. Experienced oral surgeons go to great lengths to prevent these types of injuries from happening.

Jaw Fracture

Weakening of the jawbone may increase the risk that the bone will break. This can happen during removal of impacted wisdom teeth, or with patients who have health complications that weaken bones.

TMJ Problems

Your TMJ is the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull. During oral surgery, your mouth is propped open wide to allow for access to your teeth. This can cause soreness, inflammation, or pain within the TMJ joint. This is common for wisdom teeth procedures due to how far back in the mouth the teeth are, but if your pain doesn’t subside within 15 or so days after returning to normal activities post-op, then you may want to check in with your oral surgeon. 

 

For more information about complications associated with different oral surgery procedures, please consult with a surgeon about your specific case. Our expert oral surgeons can help alleviate any fears you may have about a procedure, and you may be able to take steps to reduce your risk for complications. Contact Us today.